Al Hakim Hails Iran For Its Cultural

Al-Hakim Hails Iran for its Cultural and Religious Privileges

Abdul Aziz al-Hakim, leader of the United Iraqi Alliance list that dominates the Iraqi parliament and head of the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq, has been visiting Iran for the past few days. He met with Supreme Jurisprudent Ali Khamenei and several other high Iranian officials. He said to an Iranian VP,

‘ For his part, Hakim appreciated the Islamic Republic’s policies toward Iraq. He hailed the massive turnout of Iraqis in election and also briefed Aref on Iraq’s latest developments and problems, particularly in the fields of economy and reconstruction. Hakim said Iran enjoys cultural and religious privileges that other states are deprived of.’

I’m confused. US President George W. Bush more or less put al-Hakim in a leading position in Iraq. Al-Hakim thinks well of Iran and praises its system. But Bush trashes Iran as an execrable dictatorship and theocracy.

Reports from the Iraqi Press for June 16 via BBC World Monitoring:

‘ Al-Da’wah . . .: Security plan to include armed militias within army … Al-Ja’fari receives Japanese, UK ambassador in Baghdad … … Twenty-three Iraqi army members martyred in Ba’qubah … [MP] Shirwan al-Wa’ili: Islam is the state’s official religion, main source of legislation … New measures to defuse fuel crisis … Flights between Baghdad, Europe resumed (news agencies quoted) … Wasit governorate records highest unemployment rate in Iraq . . .

Al-Hawzah [Young Shiite nationalist Muqtada al-Sadr’s weekly]: Russian ambassador discusses Iraq’s political future with Muqtada al-Sadr … Delegation of [Sunni] Al-Ramadi, Al-Fallujah tribes visit Muqtada al-Sadr … Mounting pressure on Bush to withdraw troops from Iraq … De-Ba’thification committee warns of Ba’thist comeback … Health minister attacked in Al-Najaf … Full text of the letter sent by Shaykh Ahmad al-Shaybani from Abu-Ghrayb prison … The real motives behind attacks on barbershops … Who are the sponsors of terrorism? … ‘

For June 15:

‘ Al-Furat publishes on page 3 a 250-word article by Husayn al-Samarra’i criticizing the electoral list system, which was adopted in the 30 January election in Iraq, because voters do not know for whom they are voting.

Al-Furat publishes on page 3 a 700-word report citing a number of Iraqi women expressing their views regarding drafting the constitution and the importance of ensuring women’s rights in the permanent constitution. . .

Al-Zaman carries on the front page a 150-word report citing a well-known tribesman in Al-Ramadi saying that the Independent Iraqi Popular Forces Grouping will hold an important conference tomorrow, 16 June, which will discuss participation in the drafting of the constitution and the next elections.

Al-Dustur publishes on page 6 a 100-word report saying that a number of activists in the civic organizations in Al-Diyaniyah Governorate held a meeting to discuss the establishment of the Middle Euphrates Union . . .

Al-Mada publishes on page 2 a 200-word report quoting Muwafaq al-Rubay’i, the National Assembly member and National Security adviser, as saying that Arab Sunnis should have proper representation in the committee drafting the constitution to ensure a true Iraqi constitution for all Iraqis. The report adds that al-Rubay’i visited Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani in his house in Al-Najaf.

Al-Mada publishes on page 2 a 120-word report saying that al-Diwaniyah Governorate Council has decided to restore the name of “Al-Diwaniya” instead of “Al-Qadisiyah,” which was used during Saddam’s tenure . . .

Al-Manar al-Yawm runs on page 3 a 2,000-word article by Taha Arif criticizing the Mojahidin-e-Khalq Organization for its terribles crimes it has carried out. The writer says that the recent explosions in Iran were carried out by this organization. ‘